Hi All,
I have a question about the service life of TPS sensors.
It seems I can only get a TPS sensor to last about 2 years on my 87 305 TPI Trans am. I have tried several brands including AC Delco and the ones from Autozone and Advance Auto. I currently have a TPS I bought from ORIELLY auto parts. Are all brands inherently unreliable?
My Trans am is low milage 42,000 and the wiring is in excellent condition. The only mods are a Hypertech Thermomaster chip with 160 degree thermostat and a Flowmaster catback exhaust.
I would be interested in others experience with TPS sensors.
Thanks

 

I’ve used one from oreillys, and it has lasted a decade so far. No idea on quality of new ones these days, but they are simple potentiometers. I’ve never heard of them failing that often. Maybe you have an electrical issue? Make sure your grounds are in good shape.

 

Mine is 36 years old, but is the OEM part. Unfortunately, it seems that the quality of aftermarket parts has been in a significant decline recently, most likely due to the source/manufacturers of those parts and the accountants running the operation instead of engineers.

 

All my cars have the oem sensors.
80k, 100k, 170k and 250k miles on them.
I normally shake my head when people run out and buy all new sensors from china for these cars just because..

 

OE here too. Going on 36 years.

 

I was also thinking electrical issue of some sort. need to rule that out. electrical spikes on startup/shutdown, too much current running thru it, voltages too high/too low, things like that. alternator not putting out clean power, poor ground somewhere.

 

Thanks everyone for replies.
I have always set the tps voltage to spec. I bought a jumper pigtail so I never probe the original harness.
Unfortunately my original TPS sensor is long gone. I did have the tps replaced under warranty in 1987 for setting check engine lights. Yes I am the original owner. I will check the grounds in the spring, car is in storage now.
I did find that the last tps had a lot of play on the lever. The sensor actually tested ok by my voltmeter but would set a light after a short drive. I assume it would hang up at some point.
Vader, I agree quality of replacement parts seems bad (China) even AC Delco now made there.

 

Get a couple used sensors from the junkyard from engines with oem high mileage sensors